№83-2
Assessing the resource potential of cobalt-nickel deposits development in Ukraine
O. Lozhnikov1, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1231-0295
A. Pavlychenko1, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4652-9180
O. Shustov1, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2738-9891
N. Dereviahina1 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5584-8592
P. Biloshtan1 https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5551-7963
1 Dnipro University of Technology, Dnipro, Ukraine
Coll.res.pap.nat.min.univ. 2025, 83:22–36
Full text (PDF)
https://doi.org/10.33271/crpnmu/83.022
ABSTRACT
Purpose. Assessment of the current state and prospects for the development of cobalt-nickel ore deposits in Ukraine to supply the European Union countries and global industry with critical mineral raw materials.
Methodology. The work used a set of research methods: generalization – systematization of information about global production and demand for cobalt–nickel raw materials; analogy and comparison to determine the distribution of cobalt and nickel in deposits; analysis and synthesis to substantiate the feasibility of involving existing deposits of critical raw materials in development.
Findings. The dynamics of cobalt and nickel mining worldwide, as well as changes in their market value over the past fourteen years, have been established. The mining and geological characteristics of the largest cobalt–nickel deposits in Ukraine were studied, which makes it possible to focus attention on increasing the efficiency of technologies for extracting valuable components, since at present the mining of this raw material in the country is economically unprofitable due to its high cost. The main directions of global use of cobalt and nickel in high-tech sectors of the economy, including the production of alloy steels and batteries, were considered. Estimated reserves of cobalt and nickel in the most significant deposits of Ukraine were determined. The approximate content of cobalt and nickel in the ores of these deposits was established, which makes it possible to outline further prospects and the investment attractiveness of developing this critically important raw material in Ukraine.
The originality. The dependence of global nickel and cobalt production on the prices of these critical elements during the period from 2010 to 2023 has been established. For the first time, a classification of cobalt–nickel deposits has been carried out with the identification of the most significant deposits of critical mineral raw materials in Ukraine from which nickel and cobalt can be extracted. The necessity of further research into deposits in Ukraine has been substantiated in order to identify new occurrences of cobalt–nickel deposits and expand their existing list.
Practical implications. It has been determined that Ukraine has sufficient potential for the development of cobalt–nickel deposits by deposit types. At the same time, for their effective utilization, it is necessary to create a modern geological database, develop and implement advanced beneficiation technologies, attract investment under conditions of a transparent market, and organize a closed production cycle.
Keywords: critical raw materials, cobalt-nickel deposits,assessment, mining, resource supply.
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date of first submission of the article to the publication – 10/05/2025
date of acceptance of the article for publication after review – 11/06/2025
date of publication – 12/29/2025